Gun Violence
Uptick in Gun Violence Raises Alarm Across South Carolina
By James Seidel | CC News Network
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Gun Violence: A wave of recent shootings across South Carolina has left communities shaken, families grieving, and law enforcement agencies grappling with a troubling rise in gun-related violence.
Gun Violence: In Spartanburg County, deputies responded to a gruesome scene on Marilyn Perry Lane, where the bodies of three family members—including a 9-year-old girl—were found inside a home on Friday morning. Authorities identified the victims as Samantha Samarel, 9; Lina Maria Samarel, 45; and Richard Samarel, 54. While the exact circumstances of the deaths have not been publicly released, the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office confirmed all three died from gunshot wounds within a narrow time frame between 10:20 a.m. and 11:29 a.m. The investigation is ongoing.
Gun Violence: Meanwhile in Richland County, tragedy struck on March 19 when 22-year-old Anaya Q. Herndon was shot and killed during an attempted online sale in Columbia. The transaction took place at the Greenbrier Apartments, where Herndon had arranged to meet a buyer. Authorities quickly arrested Quavon Eichelberger, who now faces charges of murder, armed robbery, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. A second individual, Zaire Warner, was also arrested for illegal firearm possession.
Gun Violence: In Aiken County, deputies discovered two individuals dead inside a home on Walnut Court in North Augusta in what officials are calling a murder-suicide. The victims were identified as 71-year-old Keith Jones and his girlfriend, 67-year-old Kathy Hydrick. Jones reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, while Hydrick was found in the kitchen with a fatal gunshot wound to her body.
Gun Violence: Separately, authorities in Colleton County are investigating a suspicious death on Quail Drive in Walterboro. Deputies found a man lying in a yard, covered in blood. He was pronounced dead at the scene. While officials have not confirmed the manner of death, they are treating the case as a homicide and have identified a person of interest.
Gun Violence: Further south in Orangeburg County, law enforcement recently made an arrest in a cold case tied to a fatal shooting from March 2024. Jahlil Wolley, 24, of Neeses, was arrested and charged with the murder of 21-year-old Semion Lamar, who was found dead in a vehicle at the intersection of Highways 321 and 400 in Norway. The arrest follows a year-long investigation.
These incidents, while unrelated, paint a disturbing picture of a state grappling with increasing firearm-related deaths. From family violence to crimes of opportunity to long-unsolved cases, guns continue to exact a devastating toll.
“This is not just about crime—it’s about trauma, families destroyed, and a growing sense of fear in our communities,” said one Columbia-based community advocate who asked not to be named. “We need action.”
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has reported a general uptick in homicides involving firearms since 2020. The state continues to rank among the highest in the nation for gun deaths per capita.
As investigations unfold and communities begin to pick up the pieces, one thing is clear: South Carolina is facing a mounting crisis of gun violence.
James Seidel reports on crime and public safety for CC News Network. Follow @CrimeAndCask on X or visit www.crimeandcask.com for breaking updates.
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